A Sewickley Township man, previously ordered to inpatient treatment for making terroristic threats, has been arrested after allegedly setting a fire outside a home and attacking a neighbor in Westmoreland County. According to TribLIVE, 33-year-old Kurtis C. Baker was taken into custody yesterday night on a multitude of charges, including arson, reckless endangerment, and related offenses.
Details from the incident indicate that Baker not only set the fire but also doused his neighbor, two houses, and four vehicles with hydraulic fluid. He is currently being held at the Westmoreland County Prison, with bail set at $100,000. Not long ago, in September, Baker had pleaded guilty to charges including terroristic threats and criminal mischief after an event where he reportedly charged his neighbor with a knife. He was sentenced to six to 23 months in jail and accordingly ordered to be released to inpatient treatment, although the specifics of his release date remain vague.
In a separate account by WTAE, Baker is accused of entering a home and assaulting a resident with flammable liquid before setting a fire outside the dwelling. This confrontation escalated to the point where the homeowner had to forcibly eject Baker from the premises, following which the attacker commenced setting the fire.
As reported by state police, before the authorities arrived on the scene, Baker had an altercation in the roadway with a man identified as his father. Furthermore, upon his detention, Baker allegedly claimed that he possessed an explosive device. However, no such device was found. Authorities did, however, confiscate a lighter from Baker's pants pocket. The consequences of his action led to damage to outdoor furniture, boxes, and pool equipment, and a green bucket labeled "Premium Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid" was found in the home's front yard, serving as possible evidence of the accelerant used.
